RICHLAND, Washington - Specific requirements and deadlines are needed to hold the U.S. Department of Energy accountable in the cleanup at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, a federal judge told state and federal officials on Thursday.

CONCORD, New Hampshire - Organizers of the Northern Pass transmission project in New Hampshire say they are analyzing a long-awaited environmental report from the Department of Energy on the project, and have been considering proposed route alternatives as they seek feedback.

Natural gas overtook coal as the top source of U.S. electric power generation for the first time ever earlier this spring, a milestone that has been in the making for years as the price of gas slides and new regulations make coal more risky for power generators.